Compare the2023 Mercedes C-Class CoupeVS 2023 BMW 8 Series

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes C-Class Coupe have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 8 Series doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The C-Class Coupe has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 8 Series doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The C-Class Coupe offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 8 Series only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The C-Class Coupe has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 8 Series’ blind spot costs extra.

Both the C-Class Coupe and the 8 Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the C-Class Coupe’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the C-Class Coupe gets better mileage than the 8 Series Coupe:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes C-Class Coupe higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW 8 Series (3). This means the C-Class Coupe produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 8 Series every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes C-Class Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 8 Series.

The C-Class Coupe stops shorter than the 8 Series:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the C-Class Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the 8 Series.

The C-Class Coupe 300 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 8 Series; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the 8 Series don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The C-Class Coupe’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 8 Series doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the C 300’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the 8 Series’ (36.8 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The C 300 4MATIC’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the 8 Series xDrive’s (37.6 feet vs. 39 feet).

The Mercedes C-Class Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 950 pounds less than the BMW 8 Series.

The C-Class Coupe is 6.7 inches shorter than the 8 Series, making the C-Class Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The C-Class Coupe has 2 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear legroom and 4.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Coupe.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Program on the C-Class Coupe uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The 8 Series doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the C-Class Coupe has standard extendable sun visors. The 8 Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes C-Class offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 8 Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the C-Class Coupe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the C-Class Coupe will cost $3745 to $5615 less than the 8 Series over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes C-Class Coupe will be $29395 to $44664 less than for the BMW 8 Series.

The Mercedes C-Class outsold the BMW 8 Series by almost four to one during 2022.